Billy Corgan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Corgan
Corgan performing with The Smashing Pumpkins in 2019
Born	William Patrick Corgan Jr. (1967-03-17) March 17, 1967 (age 58) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Musician guitarist songwriter professional wrestling promoter podcaster
Years active	1985–present
Spouse(s)	Chris Fabian ​ ​ (m. 1993; div. 1997)​ Chloe Mendel ​ (m. 2023)​
Children	3
Musical career
Genres	Alternative rock alternative metal hard rock psychedelic rock grunge
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards bass
Labels	Caroline Virgin Reprise Warner Bros. Sumerian BMG

William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is famous for being the lead singer, guitarist, and main songwriter for the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. As the only person who has been in the band since it started, Corgan helped make alternative rock a popular music style in the 1990s.

Since 2017, he has also been the owner of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

Corgan started The Smashing Pumpkins in Chicago in 1988 with guitarist James Iha. Bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joined them soon after. The band became very successful in the 1990s with hit albums and big tours.

After the band took a break in 2000, Corgan started a new band called Zwan. He also released a book of poetry and a solo album. In 2007, he brought back The Smashing Pumpkins with new members. The band continues to release albums and tour.

Early Life and First Steps in Music

William Patrick Corgan Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 17, 1967. His father, William Corgan Sr., was also a musician. Corgan had a difficult childhood. His parents divorced when he was young, and he lived with different family members.

In elementary school, Corgan was a good athlete and loved baseball. He collected thousands of baseball cards and listened to every Chicago Cubs game. But in high school, he became more interested in music. He decided to learn guitar after seeing a cool Flying V guitar at a friend's house.

His father bought him a used guitar, and Corgan taught himself how to play. He listened to hard rock bands like Black Sabbath and Queen, as well as alternative rock bands like The Cure. He played in a few bands in high school and was a good student. Even though he had offers to go to college, he chose to follow his dream of being a full-time musician.

Music Career

The Smashing Pumpkins Rise to Fame

In 1988, after returning to Chicago, Corgan started The Smashing Pumpkins. He met guitarist James Iha at a record store, and they began making music together. Soon after, they met bassist D'arcy Wretzky. At first, they used a drum machine, but they soon found drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. With Chamberlin, the band's sound became much heavier and more powerful.

Corgan in 1992

The band's first album, Gish (1991), mixed psychedelic rock with heavy metal. It did better than anyone expected. Their second album, Siamese Dream (1993), was a huge success and sold millions of copies. It had hit songs like "Today" and "Disarm".

Their next album, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), was even bigger. It was nominated for seven Grammy awards. The song "1979" became one of Corgan's biggest hits. Around this time, Corgan started shaving his head, a look he has kept ever since.

Changes and New Directions

In 1996, the band faced a sad event when their touring keyboardist, Jonathan Melvoin, passed away. After this, the band decided to let drummer Jimmy Chamberlin go. This difficult time influenced their next album, Adore (1998). Adore had a darker, more electronic sound, which was different from their earlier rock music.

Corgan performing in 1997

Chamberlin returned to the band in 1999. They released the album Machina/The Machines of God in 2000. During the recording, bassist D'arcy Wretzky left the band. At the end of 2000, The Smashing Pumpkins decided to break up, playing their last show in Chicago.

Solo Work and Other Projects

After The Smashing Pumpkins, Corgan and Chamberlin formed a new band called Zwan. They released one album, Mary Star of the Sea, in 2003 before breaking up.

In 2004, Corgan published a book of poetry called Blinking with Fists. The next year, he released his first solo album, TheFutureEmbrace. It had an electronic and alternative rock sound.

The Smashing Pumpkins Return

In 2005, Corgan announced in a Chicago newspaper that he wanted to bring The Smashing Pumpkins back. Jimmy Chamberlin agreed to rejoin him. They returned in 2007 with a new album, Zeitgeist, and two new members, Jeff Schroeder (guitar) and Ginger Pooley (bass).

Corgan performing in 2019

The band's lineup has changed over the years, but Corgan and Schroeder have remained. In 2018, original members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin rejoined for a reunion tour called the Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour. The band has continued to release new music, including the album Cotillions in 2019.

Professional Wrestling Promoter

Corgan is a huge fan of professional wrestling. In 2011, he started his own wrestling company in Chicago called Resistance Pro Wrestling.

TNA and NWA Wrestling

In 2015, Corgan began working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as a producer, helping to create characters and stories. He even became the president of TNA in 2016 but left the company a few months later.

In 2017, Corgan bought the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), one of the oldest and most historic wrestling organizations. He took over the NWA's name, trademarks, and championship belts, and has been running the company ever since.

Personal Life

Corgan has faced personal challenges throughout his life, partly due to his difficult childhood. He now supports networks that help people who have gone through similar experiences.

He is a big sports fan, especially of Chicago teams like the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Bears. He has often been seen at Cubs games, sometimes singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

Corgan married Chloe Mendel in 2023. They have three children: a son named Augustus Juppiter and two daughters, Philomena Clementine and Juno Delphine.

Musical Style and Influences

Corgan's music is known for its unique sound, which mixes heavy guitar riffs with emotional lyrics. He was influenced by a wide range of bands. He has said that hearing Black Sabbath for the first time changed his life. He also loved the atmospheric music of bands like The Cure and Bauhaus.

Other major influences include Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Cheap Trick, and Rush. His guitar playing is highly respected, and his solos on songs like "Cherub Rock" and "Soma" are considered some of the best of the 1990s.

Instruments

Corgan performing in 2007

In the early days of The Smashing Pumpkins, Corgan's main guitar was a 1957 reissue Fender Stratocaster. This guitar was a big part of the band's signature "buzzsaw" sound on albums like Siamese Dream.

Over the years, he has used many different guitars, including various Gibson and Fender models. In 2008, Fender released a Billy Corgan signature Stratocaster so fans could get a similar sound. He is also known for using Electro-Harmonix Big Muff fuzz pedals to create his heavy guitar tones.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Images for kids

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  Corgan (right) performing with Mark Tulin of The Electric Prunes at a benefit concert for Sky Saxon

See also

In Spanish: Billy Corgan para niños